War Poetry.

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Introduction

War Poetry In this essay I will compare two war poems, discussing how each portrays warfare with reference to other poems and poets. The two I have chosen to focus on being 'Peace' by Rupert Brooke and 'War photographer' by Carol Ann Duffy. At first glance anybody would mistake the two poems to be based on a different subject matter all together. Rupert Brooke makes war out to be a fantastic opportunity for the men of England, whereas Carol Ann Duffy portrays war as an emotionally painful experience. Clearly the two writers have very different attitudes towards war, and are trying to get across to the reader a completely different view. In 'Peace', England has been wakened from its day-to-day life. The chance to become honourable, in an exciting adventure is given to the fresh generation of men. In 'War Photographer' a war photographer has returned from his latest job to his quiet home in England. He develops the spools of film he took in the front line. As the pictures appear, he remembers the horror of the situations he was in. ...read more.

Middle

His poem 'Soldier' gave similar views of war to that of 'Peace'. Forever England Brook is proud to be English, and he expresses thoughts and images of honour, glory and sacrifice in both of these well-respected poems. Carol Ann Duffy portrays similar views to those found in Wilfred Owens 'Dulce et Decorum est'. He uses words which are ugly in texture to describe the horrifying images of pain and suffering. Both poets have had the experience of war, which they have expressed the best they could in their own style. The use of language in the poems is specialised for the point the writer is trying to put across to the reader. Both poems are written in the present tense, as if the events are happening now. This makes it more real and more shocking. The title 'Peace' is ironic. Peace is considered the opposite to war, and is associated with what is wanted from war, but peace to Rupert Brook means war, he wants a change and this seems the perfect adventure. Nothing to shake the laughing heart's long peace there This connects with the contrast between the situation the photographer is in, and his home he longs for. ...read more.

Conclusion

'...eyes' and '...cries' We can see what the photographer sees and hear what he hears. 'Peace' is in the form of a sonnet (a poem of 14 lines and a set verse pattern). Brooke chose to write in this form because it's a good way for him to express personal feelings in his poem. It also separated stanzas and helped him to deal with related ideas. The first stanza is concerned with the tedious day-to-day life in Rural England, and the second considers the exciting life war can bring. 'War Photographer' is written in four regular stanzas, which helps to emphasise the regular, tedious and uninteresting pattern of the photographer's job. It begins with him arriving home from one job and leaving for the next one, as if his life runs in a cycle. In conclusion the way in which warfare is portrayed in 'Peace' and 'War Photographer', depended strongly upon the historical context and the ideas and attitude of the poet. Rupert Brook described death to be the worst that could happen at war, its simple quick and honourable to die for your country, whereas we are given images by Carol Ann Duffy of the horrific suffering and pain of war. Kathryn Poole ...read more.

The poem describes the soldiers as they march through the knee-high mud, tired from fatigue of the intense conditions they have to face and the facts of modern warfare. Owen describes them, as "Old beggars under sacks coughing like hags."